Fruit formation (tropical) 3 Annona muricata

Annona muricata (soursop) is a tropical tree growing to about 8m and bearing large, edible
fruits. It is a native of tropical America but is widely grown throughout the tropics.
sepal

stamens

receptacle

ovaries

petals

petal
styles and
stigmas

(a) Annona flower

(b) Half flower of Annona

anther split open
to expose pollen

anther

sepal

stamens have
fallen
from receptacle

sepal
receptacle

style
filament

ovule

stigma

(d) Female part

of flower

(c) Stamens
remains
of style

style

stigma

(e) Female part in section

fleshy pulp formed from
ovary walls and
receptacle

ovule has
become a
seed

soft spine
formed from
style

(f) Longitudinal section of

immature fruit
(g) Mature fruit

(h) Longitudinal section of

fruit

The fruits can be up to 30 cm long and the edible white pulp can be eaten fresh or processed into
ice cream or soft drinks.
D.G.Mackean